Santa Fe

We just spent a week in Santa Fe.  We are fortunate enough to visit frequently as Kiril's mom and family have homes there.  That place is magical. The New Mexican state motto is "Land of Enchantment".  And from the first time I stepped foot in New Mexico, I was a believer.  The warm adobe architecture is designed to soak in the supple amber coloured sun that is unique to New Mexico.  The air is velvety and sweet.  The high altitude leaves your soul feeling elevated like a pampered soufflé.  Everything has an inner glow in Santa Fe.  And hence one cannot help but feel an inner glow.  Visually Santa Fe has an unique beauty that sprouts from nature's perfect curves and form.  The town is painted in colours that seduce the eyes; earthy browns and taupes punctuated by turquoise.

Beyond visual beauty, the unique New Mexican cuisine contributes to the enchanting experience by adding heat. Textured heat.  Traditional New Mexican dishes are smothered in chile.  Red, or Green, or "Christmas".

We had a good week.  We got to relax and enjoy the warm autumn air.  We saw family.  We ate.  We slept.  Well, I take that back.  Everyone slept.  Niko and I didn't.

Kiril's mom's house - this might be my favourite house on this planet.

We spent a lot of time in this garden.

I love Santa Fe at this time.  Luckily, we were there for the Fall Chile and Wine Fiesta.  The smell of roasting chiles filled the air.  It's the kind of smell that fills your nostrils and almost chokes you, but in the best possible way.  Smoky, deep, raspy, green, addictive…  Death by roasted chile smoke. 

Unfortunately I couldn't indulge in the chiles because I'm nursing right now and Niko screams all day and night if I eat anything spicy (or anything of flavour for that matter).  

Here is a video of the chile roasting at the Farmer's Market.    

Gorgeous Chiles

Pan frying some samples.

Mila sampling the sweet chiles.

We also drove up to the mountains to enjoy the golden aspens.

Kiril walking his aunt's dog.

One of my favourite moments was watching the leaves dance in the breeze.

The Santa Fe light is so crisp, vivid and earthy.
Niko spent hours staring at the strands of light through branches and leaves.